Our 11 song debut full length album "Around The Bend" is available now from Clubhouse Records. $8.00 (plus shipping)
SPIN.COM LIVE REVIEW: "Earlier on, Boston’s Mean Creek commenced a sharp blend of country-core. It was a picture-perfect affair." - Michael Marotta, Spin.com--------------------------------------
THE BOSTON GLOBE REVIEW: "Mean Creek’s folksy Simon & Garfunkel harmonies anchor a sound that alternates between jangling and overdriven guitars. This could be the best lineup in Boston." - Nick A. Zaino III -----------------------------------------------
FLOATATION SUITE REVIEW: “Mean Creek played an impressive set; the lyrics were intelligent and the sound coherent. The vocals of Chris Keene and Aurore Ounjian complemented each other well, and were I given the opportunity to see them again, I definitely would.”
– Louise Corcoran, Floatation Suite, York, UK--------
PERFORMER MAGAZINE REVIEW:
"Around the Bend offers up a number of memorable indie-folk tunes that function together to form a cohesive and enjoyable album. With an extraordinary debut and the live act to follow, good things seem to be around the bend for Mean Creek." -Andrew Palmacci, Performer Magazine, Boston, MA----
EM MAGAZINE REVIEW:
“With all of the continuously overplayed and monotonous music veterans on the radio these days, and the amateur newcomers who sound just like them, I find it hard to discover a new sound, one subtle, yet intelligent, in riffs and rhythm, but silently screams out, "Different!" in your head when you hear that first track. Mean Creek does just that. “Around The Bend” is a thoroughly profound full-length album.”
- Alexandra Myerson, Em Magazine, Boston, MA ----------------------INDEPENDENTCLAUSES.COM - ALBUM (Around The Bend) REVIEW:
"Around the Bend is a gem of a debut album from Boston indie rockers Mean Creek. It’s full of tight harmony, great songwriting and that rare sort of emotional resonance that makes you want to listen to it again and again. Mean Creek has created a wonderful synthesis of folk and indie rock that is positively refreshing. In places, their tight harmonies recall the Mamas and the Papas. In others I can almost hear Bringing It All Back Home-era Bob Dylan. Also, their mastery of the indie-pop song reminds me of The Shins.
“Hands Behind Our Heads” is a catchy raucous romp of a pop song complete with a driving drumbeat, great lyrics, excellent vocals and all the enthusiasm of a live show. “Momentary” is yet another exquisitely-crafted pop song. Wailing, distorted guitars coupled with another driving drumbeat will have even the most jaded audiophile tapping his toes. As far as sound-alikes go, think Death Cab for Cutie with a bit more enthusiasm.
“Ohio” might be the highlight of an excellent album. In stark contrast with the previous songs, “Ohio” is a mellow folk song that warms my soul as a folk junkie. Other reviewers have compared Mean Creak to Simon and Garfunkel, and at the risk of being unoriginal, I will too. Soaring harmony and folksy finger-picking certainly recall the legendary duo.
The title track is positively thrilling. “Around the Bend” is a sophisticated, upbeat electric folk song full of bright, clean sounding arpeggios and lines about sunshine, but it is no shrill bubblegum pop song. I love this song. Did I mention there’s a harmonica part?
I love this album; it is marked by a degree of versatility, skill, and sophistication that I did not expect. I would have bought this album if they hadn’t sent it to me free. I might buy a copy anyway. If you like music, you should buy one too."
-Brian Burns--------------------------
soundaslanguage.com "Around The Bend" Album Review: Chris Keene and Aurore Ounjian originally got together as a duo (Chris & Aurore) before deciding a full band might provide better emphasis for their songwriting. That band became Mean Creek and Around The Bend is their impressive debut album. Released on the upcoming Boston label, Clubhouse Records, Mean Creek’s Around The Bend brings back some fond early 90’s memories where alternative pop was all the rage. It also brings to mind the eclectic mixture of modern indie pop darlings, Stars.
Much like Stars, Mean Creek’s male/female vocal harmonies (created by Keene and Ounjian) are endearing to say the least. The group has an ear for creating such catchy melodies and those harmonies only enhance the band’s sharpest weapon. Tracks like “Momentary”, “Ohio”, “The Same Place” and “To Never Again” are instantly gratifying even upon their first play. There is also a folk/country atmosphere to many of the band’s songs which adds yet another element to the band’s eclectic sound. Harmonicas and banjos subtly make appearances on Around The Bend and add a richness to the band’s enveloping indie pop.
With Around The Bend, Mean Creek have crafted an amazingly mature debut album. The band shows off such incredible promise and truly is well beyond many of their elders. It is impossible not to wonder where the band will go from here. Until then though, Mean Creek remain well ahead of the curve."
------------------------------------------------------BOSTON HERALD Live Review: "Early arrivals caught a muscular performance by Boston band Mean Creek. Punchy, urgent tones dominated artful, progressive song structures, softened with a clever sense of melody and impressive co-ed harmonies from frontman Chris Keene and guitarist Aurore Ounjian." -Christopher John Treacy
thanks for remembering me. if you guys ever need some help with gear i have some cool stuff in my home studio...and if you ever need a keyboard or guitar or sleigh bell player you know where to find me. i hope to see you guys again soon. i thoroughly enjoyed your time on the stage for how brief it was and my eyes are still ringing.
hey mean creek! we're playing @ o'briens again on thursday w/ teletextile. If you got nothin goin on, come down and party! We'd love to see you. take care
SPIN.COM LIVE REVIEW: "Earlier on, Boston’s Mean Creek commenced a sharp blend of country-core. It was a picture-perfect affair." - Michael Marotta, Spin.com--------------------------------------
THE BOSTON GLOBE REVIEW: "Mean Creek’s folksy Simon & Garfunkel harmonies anchor a sound that alternates between jangling and overdriven guitars. This could be the best lineup in Boston." - Nick A. Zaino III -----------------------------------------------
FLOATATION SUITE REVIEW: “Mean Creek played an impressive set; the lyrics were intelligent and the sound coherent. The vocals of Chris Keene and Aurore Ounjian complemented each other well, and were I given the opportunity to see them again, I definitely would.”
– Louise Corcoran, Floatation Suite, York, UK--------
PERFORMER MAGAZINE REVIEW:
"Around the Bend offers up a number of memorable indie-folk tunes that function together to form a cohesive and enjoyable album. With an extraordinary debut and the live act to follow, good things seem to be around the bend for Mean Creek." -Andrew Palmacci, Performer Magazine, Boston, MA----
EM MAGAZINE REVIEW:
“With all of the continuously overplayed and monotonous music veterans on the radio these days, and the amateur newcomers who sound just like them, I find it hard to discover a new sound, one subtle, yet intelligent, in riffs and rhythm, but silently screams out, "Different!" in your head when you hear that first track. Mean Creek does just that. “Around The Bend” is a thoroughly profound full-length album.”
- Alexandra Myerson, Em Magazine, Boston, MA ----------------------INDEPENDENTCLAUSES.COM - ALBUM (Around The Bend) REVIEW:
"Around the Bend is a gem of a debut album from Boston indie rockers Mean Creek. It’s full of tight harmony, great songwriting and that rare sort of emotional resonance that makes you want to listen to it again and again. Mean Creek has created a wonderful synthesis of folk and indie rock that is positively refreshing. In places, their tight harmonies recall the Mamas and the Papas. In others I can almost hear Bringing It All Back Home-era Bob Dylan. Also, their mastery of the indie-pop song reminds me of The Shins.
“Hands Behind Our Heads” is a catchy raucous romp of a pop song complete with a driving drumbeat, great lyrics, excellent vocals and all the enthusiasm of a live show. “Momentary” is yet another exquisitely-crafted pop song. Wailing, distorted guitars coupled with another driving drumbeat will have even the most jaded audiophile tapping his toes. As far as sound-alikes go, think Death Cab for Cutie with a bit more enthusiasm.
“Ohio” might be the highlight of an excellent album. In stark contrast with the previous songs, “Ohio” is a mellow folk song that warms my soul as a folk junkie. Other reviewers have compared Mean Creak to Simon and Garfunkel, and at the risk of being unoriginal, I will too. Soaring harmony and folksy finger-picking certainly recall the legendary duo.
The title track is positively thrilling. “Around the Bend” is a sophisticated, upbeat electric folk song full of bright, clean sounding arpeggios and lines about sunshine, but it is no shrill bubblegum pop song. I love this song. Did I mention there’s a harmonica part?
I love this album; it is marked by a degree of versatility, skill, and sophistication that I did not expect. I would have bought this album if they hadn’t sent it to me free. I might buy a copy anyway. If you like music, you should buy one too."
-Brian Burns--------------------------
soundaslanguage.com "Around The Bend" Album Review: Chris Keene and Aurore Ounjian originally got together as a duo (Chris & Aurore) before deciding a full band might provide better emphasis for their songwriting. That band became Mean Creek and Around The Bend is their impressive debut album. Released on the upcoming Boston label, Clubhouse Records, Mean Creek’s Around The Bend brings back some fond early 90’s memories where alternative pop was all the rage. It also brings to mind the eclectic mixture of modern indie pop darlings, Stars.
Much like Stars, Mean Creek’s male/female vocal harmonies (created by Keene and Ounjian) are endearing to say the least. The group has an ear for creating such catchy melodies and those harmonies only enhance the band’s sharpest weapon. Tracks like “Momentary”, “Ohio”, “The Same Place” and “To Never Again” are instantly gratifying even upon their first play. There is also a folk/country atmosphere to many of the band’s songs which adds yet another element to the band’s eclectic sound. Harmonicas and banjos subtly make appearances on Around The Bend and add a richness to the band’s enveloping indie pop.
With Around The Bend, Mean Creek have crafted an amazingly mature debut album. The band shows off such incredible promise and truly is well beyond many of their elders. It is impossible not to wonder where the band will go from here. Until then though, Mean Creek remain well ahead of the curve."
------------------------------------------------------BOSTON HERALD Live Review: "Early arrivals caught a muscular performance by Boston band Mean Creek. Punchy, urgent tones dominated artful, progressive song structures, softened with a clever sense of melody and impressive co-ed harmonies from frontman Chris Keene and guitarist Aurore Ounjian." -Christopher John Treacy
